Windows 7: Homegroup Setup O.K. - now Computer won't Sleep

Hey guys - wondering if anyone has run into this problem...

I have a workstation and a laptop connected via a Homegroup.

Now that I got it working properly the workstation refuses to go into Sleep Mode. The monitors go dark, Windows goes into a suspend state - but the fans keep spinning.

I've tried a number of solutions using the powercfg utility - including adding registry entries to "Allow remote opens" and the other ideas on this site:

(iBoyd) » Windows 7 Power Management: Fixing PC Insomnia

(very worthwhile read imo - great site. unfortunately none of the ideas fixed my "insomnia" problem)



I've tried changing my Power Profile to allow sleep after 1 minute, I've stopped media streaming on the Homegroup advanced options... nothing changes.

I would really appreciate any thoughts you can share...Thanks!

2 days, almost 200 views and zero replies...

No one has had any issues with Stand-by (Sleep) after creating a Homegroup? That is very surprising...

Hello,

Do you have any remote access software install on the PC? For example, logmein forces your PC to stay awake.

Have you checked your change advanced power settings within Power Options?

Dave

Thank you for your reply Dave.

There are no remote log-ins or access on either machine and "Allow remote assistance" is disabled.

I used to use a Custom Profile in the Power Options - it's basically the High Performance option but I set everything to Never turn off, Never Sleep, etc. everything that can be set that way. Before the Homegroup I was able to use this Custom Profile and Sleep/Standby no problem.

Once I got the HG running Sleep/Standby stopped working. So the first things I changed were in Power Options. I changed "Never" back to 10 minutes or whatever, "Allow Sleep," etc., all the obvious things I could see. I changed all the Advanced Options to allow Sleep, even when streaming media. Nothing helps.

I also changed some not-so-obvious things in powercfg (unhiding "allow remote opens"). I've set the machine to Sleep after 1 minute, tested it, no luck.

The OS obeys the command and the displays go dark - but the HW doesn't respond at all.

(btw I disabled Hibernation soon after the first POST. I don't use it; I don't like the large file on my system drive)

I know it's a complicated issue - lots of variables - I'd really appreciate your help!

try this:

In addition to WHS's comments, make sure that your Anti-Virus isnt running a scan when idle or something silly like that.

Dave

thanks guys -

Yes I had already made sure nothing was "allowed" to wake the computer in Dev Mngr. I don't have any Avast scans scheduled.

This problem started right after setting up the Homegroup; something about the Homegroup is causing the workstation to disregard the Sleep function.

I can wipe out the Homegroup and see if the machine will go into Sleep/Standby, the way it used to. But I'm sure it will.

There is a good read about "PC Insomnia" and I followed nearly every recommendation. There were a few I couldn't quite follow - registry keys I didn't have. I tried creating them and then following the advice but I'm not sure I created them correctly. I backed-up the original keys so I could revert if I had to.

If you're interested here's the link:
(iBoyd) » Windows 7 Power Management: Fixing PC Insomnia

Thanks again for your replies.

Just one long shot - close all windows before you go into sleep.

In the same place WHS suggested there is another setting.
Go --> Device Manager --> Adapters --> Advanced Tab --> Scroll to wake up capabilities -->

If you are not using Wake on Lan select "None"
If you are using Wake on Lan and your rigs are networked select "Magic Packet and Pattern Match" This choice is and/or between the two.

If you have two or more adapters all of them should be set accordingly to their use. I have two adapters and am only using one. I disable the one I am not using.

Thanks you guys - I will try that.

On the workstation I have 2 adapters and I'm only using 1. I'll figure out which is which and disable the one I'm not using.

On the laptop I have 2 adapters and I'm only using 1. I'm not using the wireless adapter so I will disable that.

re: my network (if I understand the term) - I have a Homegroup with those 2 computers on it, which are both wired to a router. I can share files between them no problem. There's also a 3rd computer that's not part of the Homegroup. It receives a wireless signal from the router. It belongs to someone else in the house.

I honestly don't know if I'm using Wake On LAN (networking confuses me as you see). I don't think so, I can't think of a need for it. I just want the Homegroup to function properly (which it is) and to be able to put the workstation to Sleep.

On both adapters in the workstation "Shutdown Wake-On-LAN" is enabled. Is that the the one I should disable?

There are no other WOL settings except for a "WOL & Shutdown Link Speed," which is set to "10Mbps First." "Wake on Magic Packet" and "Wake on Pattern Match" are both enabled. "Network Address" is "not present" on both.

Network Adapters (drivers are up-to-date):
Workstation: RealTek PCIe Family Controller
Laptop: Atheros

Thanks for your help you guys. Oh btw I tried closing everything before going to Sleep mode but I got the same results - OS sleeps, the monitors go dark but the fans keep spinning. Thanks again for your suggestions - can you clarify the "Shutdown Wake-On-LAN" thing? Thanks a lot!